Olive Pink - a garden and woman

The Olive Pink Botanic Garden is worth a visit (apart from the cafe lauded in a previous post). There are flat walks, art installations and of course the walk up the hill. All are detailed in the guide booklet which contains photos and notes about the plants which correspond to markers along the walks.

The Hill Walk is a goat track but if I managed it, then it can't be that bad.

Stairway to heaven?

There are lovely views to be enjoyed along the way and at the very top.

 Going up is hard work, but I find coming down more daunting when one suffers from Old Lady Disease...scared I'll fall and break something!

I DID NOT jump like this, I took a far more demure approach!

Entrance to the Wattle Walk

The Mallee Walk

There is art in the park. Check out the emu's beak.

Remember to look down...

..and up. You never know what you will find!

Olive Pink Gardens are named after an early character who evoked contradictory opinions. An unconventional anthropologist Miss Pink (1884 - 1975)  has been described variously as colourful, unforgettable and indomitable.  The unconventional label was probably affixed because she took a non-mainstream stance in regard to indigenous people. She championed their cause and fought for a secular sanctuary for the Walpiri people in the Tanami Desert. She was once charged with contempt of court for interrupting proceedings because she didn't think tribal law was being taken into account. She refused to pay the fine and was facing a custodial sentence...but the head goaler paid the fine because he didn't want her causing trouble in his jail!

Miss Pink was also a botanical artist and developed an abiding interest in local flora, promoting the cultivation of native species. She lobbied successfully to have the gardens established in 1956 and they were opened to the public in 1985.

Miss Pink was influenced by the indomitable Daisy Bates, and later, resided with and had a close friendship with Annie Meyers.